Home » Roadway project at historic Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing dedicated Thursday

Roadway project at historic Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing dedicated Thursday

New road promotes tourism, economic development

Riverside’s centerpiece is the historic Farnsley-Moremen House, which was purchased by Jefferson County in 1988 and underwent extensive restoration before it opened to the public in October of 1993. Photo courtesy of http://www.riverside-landing.org.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 19, 2012) – Gov. Steve Beshear on Thursday joined officials in dedicating the completion of the first phase of a roadway project at Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing, a historic property in southwest Jefferson County, managed by Louisville Metro Parks.

The new roadway connects the Farnsley-Moremen property to the historic Aydelott-Rosenberger Property, which features an historic chapel currently under renovation, an historic home and farm. The new facilities will provide a unique venue for weddings, meetings, historic interpretation, and other community and special events.

“Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing is part of our heritage as Kentuckians, so this new roadway is about far more than moving traffic,” Beshear said. “This roadway represents an opportunity for visitors and our fellow Kentuckians to learn about and experience the richness of our Kentucky history and culture.”

The $613,000 first phase of the roadway project includes just over a half-mile of two-lane asphalt road, parking areas for 78 cars, 11 additional handicapped-parking spaces, accessible sidewalks, landscaping, and storm drainage improvements.

The connector road dedicated today is the first phase of a two-part road project that will also see the construction of a new shared-use path and trail head at Riverside connecting to the Louisville Loop, the anticipated 100-mile, multi-use path that will encircle the city; sidewalks, landscaping, benches and other improvements.

Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing features the restored historic house, a reconstructed 19th century kitchen building, ongoing archaeological excavations, and a kitchen garden where volunteers grow many of the same vegetables and herbs that would have been part of the meals served during the 19th century. Photo courtesy of http://www.riverside-landing.org.

The state-funded roadway project has been undertaken in tandem with the Louisville Metro-funded chapel renovation which includes construction of a new outdoor courtyard, meeting rooms, public facilities, sidewalks and landscaping. The Riverside Board of Directors provided support for the relocation of the chapel. Completion of the entire area is expected by spring 2013.

“This project is extremely important to our community, because it will make it much easier for local citizens and tourists alike to enjoy these historic sites and to connect with the planned city loop that will do so much to promote exercise and just enjoying some of Jefferson County’s prettiest scenery,” said Rep. Charlie Miller of Louisville.

Tetra Tech provided consulting for the first phase; the construction services were provided by Advanced Paving and Construction, Inc. Because the new shared use path crosses a River Port railroad track, Larry McFall and Wayne Cassady of River Port Authority provided additional project expertise and support.

About Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing

Standing atop a gentle rise overlooking the Ohio, the Farnsley-Moremen House (built circa 1837) is the centerpiece of a 300-acre historic site in Louisville called Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing. Riverside exists to promote, preserve, restore and interpret historic farm life on the Ohio River. Visitors can tour the historic house and grounds. A modern visitors’ center houses an auditorium, museum exhibits, and a museum store.

For more information, visit www.riverside-landing.org.